Wells Cathedral

Wells Cathedral, Somerset

Jake Davies

Wells Cathedral (Cathedral Church of St. Andrew) in Wells, Somerset is one of the UK's most beautiful cathedrals.

Mostly Gothic in style, the church is a Grade I Listed Building.

History

The cathedral was built between 1175 and 1490 and is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, who resides at the nearby Bishop's Palace. There is evidence that there has been a church on this site since the 8th century during the Saxon period of English history.

The magnificent West Front, which dates from around 1230, is one of the largest galleries of medieval sculpture in the world. From the bottom, biblical scenes are depicted rising to kings, bishops, and angels until the twelve apostles and Christ at the very top.

Wells Cathedral is the first cathedral built completely in Gothic style. — Considered to be the first cathedral built completely in Gothic style, the flanking towers of the West Front of Wells Cathedral were designed to have spires but they were never built

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

The church dates from the 13th century. — Built originally in the 13th century, the three cloisters attached to the cathedral were remodelled in the 15th century when a library was built above the East Cloister

Architecture

The superb Chapter House (1306) has a series of worn steps up to this most sumptuous meeting room. The octagonal-shaped room was used (and still is on occasion) to discuss the cathedral business. Before the stairs to the entrance to the Chapter House is the Wells Cathedral clock which is said to be the second oldest clock in England after the clock in Salisbury Cathedral and was probably built by the same clock-makers as the two clocks are very similar in style.

The spectacular Scissor Arches were a medieval solution to sinking tower foundations and were inserted in the 14th century to stabilize the structure. The Scissor Arches support the weight of the central tower.

The church holds assembly for the nearby Wells Cathedral School, which was founded in the 10th century to educate choristers.

The cathedral has a welcoming shop and Chapter Two cafe and restaurant located on the first floor of the New Entry Cloister.

The vaulted-arch ceiling, more than 20 meters above the floor of the nave of Wells Cathedral. The decoration was added in the 19th century. — The vaulted-arch ceiling, more than 20 meters above the floor of the nave of Wells Cathedral. The decoration was added in the 19th century

Access

Cathedral Offices
Chain Gate
Cathedral Green
Wells
Somerset
BA5 2UE
Tel: 01749 674483
www: wellscathedral.org.uk

Wells Cathedral is most famously known for its Scissors Arches. — Wells Cathedral is most famously known for its Scissors Arches, technically called strainer arches which were installed in the 14th century to stabilize the piers of the huge central tower whose weight was too much for the foundations

The scissor arches were constructed on three sides of the great central tower by master mason William Joy. — The "scissor" arches were constructed on three sides of the great central tower by master mason William Joy

The cathedral is close to Wookey Hole and is 21 miles southwest of Bath. Several buses connect Bath Bus Station with the town of Wells including numbers 171, 172, 173 (via Radstock, Midsomer Norton, Chilcompton, Gurney Slade) and 174. The journey takes about 90 minutes.

Nearby

The Bishops Palace and Gardens has been the home of the Bishops of Bath and Wells since 1206. The Gothic ruin of the Great Hall is what's left of a hall once used for lavish banquets but which fell into disrepair in the 16th century. The wells from which the city of Wells gets its name can be seen in the outer gardens. The springs flow at an impressive rate of 100 liters per second. The flows from these springs once powered the mills of the city of Wells.

The first organ in Wells Cathedral was installed in the 14th century. A later organ was destroyed by parliamentary soldiers in 1643. It was replaced and then expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries. Parts of that organ were used in the current organ which was built in the early 20th century

Accommodation

The White Hart Hotel in Wells, just a short walk from Wells Cathedral, is a 15th-century coaching house. It is the perfect place to stay to fully appreciate this enticing town. There are 15 bedrooms in this historic AA two-star hotel. Brufani's Restaurant at the hotel is well known for its excellent food. (Book this hotel with Agoda)

See here for a complete listing of accommodation in Wells.